Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
Q Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD
UK
Contact person: Kate Townsley
E-mail: kate.townsley@gov.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.scotland.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Review of Community Led Local Development in rural Scotland
Reference number: RESAS/009/24
II.1.2) Main CPV code
73000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Scottish Government is developing a new Rural Support Plan and associated rural policy which will follow on from the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.
To inform this work, we wish to commission a research project comprising the design and delivery of a review of three Scottish Government-funded programmes:
- Community Led Local Development
- Scottish Rural Action
- Scottish Rural Network
This research will constitute a review of the role and impact of these programmes. It will involve:
- evaluating the delivery of these programmes against their intended aims;
- engaging with a range of stakeholders to examine the strategic fit of these programmes within a wider policy and funding context, and in relation to other public and third sector policy and interventions;
- producing options and practical recommendations on future areas of focus and delivery models.
This review will draw on a range of previous research, including a desk review due for completion by June 2024 (see Section 3).
This specification sets out the aims and objectives of this work, provides background information on the policy approach and provides a suggested methodological approach to realising these aims. It sets out the tasks required of the contractor, management arrangements and timescales. Where appropriate, contractors are invited to suggest alternative approaches to meeting the aims and objectives of this review within the available budget and timescale.
The research will support the work of Scottish Government policy officials and Ministers in developing a new Rural Support Plan as well as wider rural policy. It should also benefit, and provide practical outputs for wider stakeholders, including those delivering the Community Led Local Development, Scottish Rural Network and Scottish Rural Action programmes, and people living and working in rural and island areas.
The review will take place in three stages, and outputs at each stage are required so that interim findings can feed into ongoing policy work, including the development of the Rural Support Plan and wider rural policy / legislation during 2024-25.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
250 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
73000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
3.1 Research aims
The aims of this review are to:
1. Evaluate the delivery of Community Led Local Development, Scottish Rural Action and the Scottish Rural Network
2. Examine their strategic fit in relation to wider public and third sector interventions, identify their unique role and impact, any gaps or areas of duplication
3. Consider and propose options for their future role, focus and delivery, including in relation to the Rural Support Plan and wider rural policy, and in the context of the forthcoming Rural Delivery Plan
4. Consult and engage with a range of stakeholders
5. Produce practical recommendations
Whilst this research should provide a wider strategic overview of these programmes, in terms of the activities and timeframe to be considered, the contractor should focus on delivery of the Community Led Local Development and Scottish Rural Network programmes since 2021-22 and Scottish Rural Action since 2020-21.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
27/06/2024
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=765956.
(SC Ref:765956)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
07/05/2024